rowan

[roh-uh n, rou-]

noun

the European mountain ash, Sorbus aucuparia, having pinnate leaves and clusters of bright red berries.

either of two American mountain ashes, Sorbus americana or S. sambucifolia.

the berry of any of these trees.

Origin of rowan

1795–1805; < Old Norse *raun- in reynir, Norwegian raun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for rowan

Contemporary Examples of rowan

Liam Neeson was across from me, Rowan Atkinson was seated next to me, and on the other side was Laura Linney.
Love Actually’s 10th Anniversary: The Cast and Crew Reminisce About the Christmas Classic
Marlow Stern
November 7, 2013
And Joe Morton as Rowan roars each line with all of the ferocity—and then some—they require.
The ‘Scandal’ Premiere Is as Brilliant and Batsh*t Crazy as You Hoped
Kevin Fallon
October 4, 2013
“The White House will destroy you,” Rowan warns, when Olivia decides not to escape and to face the wrath of the media.
The ‘Scandal’ Premiere Is as Brilliant and Batsh*t Crazy as You Hoped
Kevin Fallon
October 4, 2013
Rowan was tried on a lesser weapons-possession charge—not assault.
Trayvon Martin: Other ‘Stand Your Ground’ Cases, From Florida to North Carolina
Clark Merrefield
March 23, 2012
A pro-gun group, Gun Owners of America, offered Rowan legal assistance.
Trayvon Martin: Other ‘Stand Your Ground’ Cases, From Florida to North Carolina
Clark Merrefield
March 23, 2012

Historical Examples of rowan

Such were conditions in Rowan County on the day of election, August, 1884.
Kentucky's Famous Feuds and Tragedies
Chas. G Mutzenberg
The Rowan diagram is to the same scale as the Taylor and Gantt diagrams.
A Rational Wages System
Henry Atkinson
She is a beautiful spirit, and sleeps in that pool under the rowan.
Pharais and The Mountain Lovers
Fiona Macleod
It is easy, if the man is strong, and you hef the rowan with you.
The Quiver, 2/1900
Various
Grandmother, would you lend me the rowan branch if—if I were to go?
The Quiver, 2/1900
Various

British Dictionary definitions for rowan

rowan

noun

another name for the (European) mountain ash

Word Origin for rowan

C16: from Scandinavian; compare Norwegian rogn, raun, Old Norse reynir

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for rowan

"mountain ash," 1804, from rowan-tree, rountree (1540s), northern English and Scottish, from a Scandinavian source (cf. Old Norse reynir, Swedish Ronn "the rowan"), ultimately from the root of red, in reference to the berries.

There were those in this neighbourhood, long after the beginning of the present century, who believed that a slip of rowan tree carried on their person dispelled glamour, and rendered nugatory all the powers of sorcery and witchcraft. [Alexander Laing, "Lindores Abbey and the Burgh of Newburgh," Edinburgh, 1876]